Thursday, September 13, 2007

Let's be blunt: the 2007 football season has been a complete disaster so far for Michigan. And they have nobody to blame but themselves. Period.

The offense, defense, special teams and coaching staff have all not done a good job. And with the talent on the team and the oft-stated desire to erase the bitter taste following the end of last season, there is no excuse. Period.

But...

I'm not a fair weather fan and this isn't a fair weather blog. We're a pro-Michigan site, even in the darkest of times (which, uh, in case you hadn't noticed, this really, really, really qualifies as). Most of all, I'm still a Michigan Man through and through, and I support this team - and Lloyd Carr - one hundred percent while they're at Michigan.

Yes, that wasn't a typo - I support Lloyd Carr one hundred percent. While that might not be the popular thing to say during this difficult time, he deserves it.

In fact, what really leaves me scratching my head as things quickly went south this season are the comments by some saying they hope we go completely belly up this fall so Michigan "fires his ass" or some such sentiment.

Why on earth would any true Michigan fan want that?

I hope we go undefeated the rest of the year, beat Ohio State, win the Big 10 title and capture a BCS bowl victory. A longshot based on the first two games? Perhaps. But that's the never-say-die Michigan fan in me bleeding through even today at 0-2.

And that will never go away.

So don't confuse a sense of humor on the site with a lack of support. Hey, some people scream and yell when they're upset, we fire up Photoshop here at the MZone.

Oh, sure, we'll criticize when warranted and poke fun when deserved. That's what we do and probably why you read. If we'd come out after the Appalachian State and Oregon losses trying to paint a pretty picture of what transpired on the football field, chances are you wouldn't still be coming here. And I'd be a fraud if I had tried to hide my own disappointment.

But the team's down and we're not bailing on them. And I hope the rest of the maize and blue faithful don't either.

I haven't bailed on the team... it's tough being in Europe and having to stay up until almost 2 AM to watch the team I support... but I still did it.

As for this week... maybe we'll see some fire under the players' asses... maybe not. I just hope we can put together AND EXECUTE a sound gameplan...

I'd rather be low ranked and beat higher ranked (possibly better) teams... than to be high ranked and lose (which already happened)to lower opponents.

I wish everyone would stop talking about the App State game though... it happens... in all sports, there will always be a team that will have to be the answer to a question on a poor performance. Thing is, 1-A teams take smaller teams for granted... other 1-A teams have lost to 1-AA teams... they just weren't good like UM. Think of the storyline in the movie "Hoosiers" (true story)... basically the same thing, different level. It happens.

This week... it would be nice to see UM beat the Irish so the people in South Bend can begin to question the large contract they gave Jesus Chri... sorry... Charlie Weis.

I continue to (and will do so proudly) wear my extensive Michigan logo wear collection. And even tho in high school and college I spent a lot of time in the marching band I am no bandwagon fan! Still undefeated in the Big 10!

Sunday in Chicago I was walking down Michigan ave toward Soldier field for the US / Brazil soccer match. Still proud to be a Michigan man I went to the game wearing a Michigan hat. Walked past some dude wearing an Oregon hat and he made a comment: "ooh, you're brave to wear that hat" I thought i'd be nice and not say anything negative about Oregon and just said it was tough being at the game yesterday. Turns out he was not only a Michigan fan, but an alum -- WTF?

I will keep faith. I'm very hopeful that this week's game against (a crappy) Notre Dame will be very positive, with about a 2-3 victory. Everyone know that Michigan has never been able to defend the spread or a scrambling quarterback (McNabb, Basanez, Stanton, Young, Smith to name a few), but it appears that the schedule doesn't present those challenges going forward. Let's hope that playing more traditional teams will result in some positive momentum, and that the offense stops shooting itself in the foot.

Yeah, I'm one who has mentioned IF Michigan loses all games this season. But I never said (or meant) that I hoped they would. I actually think that is nearly an impossiblity.I'll be at the game this Saturday and have not stopped flying my M flag at home these past two weeks...I'd still like to see new coaching blood after this season, though.

I've already received my fair share of phone calls, texts, emails, etc. hounding me for the first two games... funny how the haters come out of the woodwork when Michigan's down. Here's hoping we don't give them more ammunition this week -- there are more ND fans out there than grains of sand on the beach. I don't think I could take it...

I was born in OSU med center, grew up near hamilton and livingston, and can only remember rooting for michigan. never knew why, never questioned it. these past few weeks people at work and from school have been bugging me to give up, move on, you never even lived near michigan, you have no reason to root for them. This here is my reason. no matter what the outcome of any game michigan plays this year, i will be wearing my maize and blue and holding my "official" michigan training mug. "those who stay will be champions" (any one else thinks there needs to be a new student shirt?)

with that said, i think carr should stay. if he would not have argued for 2 seconds back on the clock during the penn state game a few years ago, would we have won? whose comments would we look forward to as the teams run into the tunnel for halftime?

just because you are one man and they are many, doesn't mean they are right.

Let's be honest. Like most spartans - you don't like Michigan because you could not get into Michigan.

I can take getting jabbed by ohio state/usc/appy st/oregon fans. But what I won't do is sit back and listen to fans of crappy programs (like msu) dance around like they finally did something right.

How about winning every once in a while ?

Michigan State is the kind of program that sends players to guard their logo in the middle of the field following a loss - after celebrating and planting their flag like a bunch of gangsters the year before.

Michigan State is the kind of program that a coach leaves to go to LSU. Michigan is the kind of program that a coach leaves LSU to come to.

Ok, as I stated prior after the App State loss "cowboy up or go sit in the truck". I have wore a different t-shirt while watching Michigan on t.v. the first two weeks here in San Diego, neither worked. I've got plenty left but I believe the next one will be the lucky one i'm searching for this season. Please Lord, do not make me break out my NEVER WORN 1997 National Championship t-shirt.

The unending media coverage is laughable though...EVERYONE is talking about what is wrong with Michigan?...This after TWO losses, totally flattering to me. This will shift to South Bend after saturday's game. Go Blue!!!

There's no way I can possibly give up on Michigan ... I got a freakin' winged helmet tattoo in August so there's no going back on that!

I happen to work with a bunch of MSU grads ... it's so weird how they seem to take more joy in Michigan's losses this year than their two wins. I'm not even sure it would matter if Michigan beats MSU later this year ... they'd still probably bring up the App State game.

My ring tone is still 'Hail to the Victors' and will remain so ... but they need to start winning damnit!

"In fact, what really leaves me scratching my head as things quickly went south this season..."

Quickly went south? QUICKLY?! Where have you been the last few years? Michigan has been on a steady decline - look at their recent bowl record, or record against tOSU - the 1st two games of this season are not an abberation - they are a result of inept coaching, bad recruiting, and a talented team playing below their ability on a consistent basis.

So, yes, I blame the man who's in charge: Lloyd Carr. I will not support him this season - I've been hoping he'd quit or get fired for a few years now.

He would've been a great coach in the 70's and 80's, no doubt - but he hasn't evolved - and it shows. He's a stubborn SOB, who refuses to change his gameplan even when down by 21.

I feel bad for Hart, Long, and Henne, but this blind devotion won't help Michigan football in the long term. Look at Cubs fans - they are more than willing to shell out their hard-earned cash for season tickets, Cubs gear,...etc. And guess what? The owners don't have to win, cuz their making their money.

Well, I'm telling you, if you don't send a message to the higher-ups at Michigan, nothing will change. They'll hire a Lloyd Carr assistant, who will keep things just as they are.

It is time to revolt, people. I don't blame the players - and I will root for them - but I will NOT root for Lloyd Carr to stay one more minute in Ann Arbor.

Great thread. I can't shake the feeling that this will be the week Michigan begins to turn it around. While a victory over a soon-to-be 0-3 ND may not be one for the ages, it sure will feel good about now.

I'm wearing a Michigan shirt at work today. Now it's about class, character, and conviction.

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